Shore Diving in New Jersey

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Its waters might not be warm or clear, but that doesn't mean New Jersey lacks undersea rocks and shipwrecks to explore. One advantage of Jersey diving is the shore diving sites. Free of the need to join a dive boat trip or charter a boat, divers need only rent any missing gear and fill their air tanks, get directions, grab a buddy and drive to the right place on the Jersey Shore.

Manasquan Inlet

Point Pleasant Beach boasts that its Manasquan Inlet offers "some of the best shore diving around." The inlet's entry is from points starting east of Ocean Avenue. The best time to dive in the inlet starts just before slack high tide, and the areas around the dolis rocks are predictably rich with sea life. Divers should expect the water to be extremely murky, however, with visibility routinely below 10 feet. These conditions make Manasquan Inlet a logical choice for fans of macro-diving, or diving in a small area specifically to study the little things. Borough of Point Pleasant Beach 416 New Jersey Ave. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 732-892-1118 pointpleasantbeach.org

Allenhurst Jetty

Allenhurst Jetty is a rock pile pointing out from shore near Allenhurst's Ashbury Park. The rocks are encrusted with mussels, frequented by blackfish and stripped bass, and visited by the odd tropical fish brought up by the Gulf Stream. The best time to dive is the hour right around high tide, when the waters around the jetty reach their deepest at 20 feet. Do not attempt to dive the site in conditions other than a flat or nearly flat sea, however, lest the sea surge will throw you onto the rocks. Borough of Allenhurst 125 Corlies Ave. Allenhurst, NJ 07711 732-531-2757 allenhurstnj.org

Bluffs Wreck

Bay Head is just a few miles southeast of Point Pleasant, with the Bluffs Wreck 200 feet off the Bay Head jetty pointing out from Chadwick Avenue. The identity of the ship remains a mystery, with the name coming from a one-time hotel in the area. The wreck is thought to be that of an 1860s coastal steamer, however, and is now a rubble pile resting in 20 feet of water. Steel hull plating, steam boilers and other machinery are identifiable. The south end of the wreck is marked by a big rectangular boiler, which is a magnet for local fish. The north end's main feature is the ship's propeller shaft, while due east and out to sea are the remains of the decking, now a haven for lobsters. Artifacts such as old bottles and coins have sometimes been found here.